Dracaena plant named ‘KKDR201206’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  cultivar named ‘KKDR201206’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive foliage variegation pattern unlike other known  Draceana reflexa  cultivars, as well as strong stem and broad, outwardly oriented foliage. The new variety is a  Dracaena , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dracaena reflexa.

Variety denomination: ‘KKDR201206’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the product of chance discovery. The new varietyoriginated as a naturally occurring, whole plant mutation of theunpatented ‘Song of India’ variety of Dracaena reflexa.

The new variety was first discovered by the inventor, KanchanaKhemakongkanond, a citizen of Thailand, in August of 2006, in a nurseryin Bangkok, Thailand. After identifying the new variety as a potentiallyinteresting selection, the inventor continued confidential testing andpropagation of ‘KKDR201206’, assessing stability of the uniquecharacteristics of this variety.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201206’ by vegetativecuttings was first performed at the same nursery in Bangkok, Thailandduring January of 2006. Subsequently at least three generations havebeen produced from vegetative cuttings, and have shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘KKDR201206’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘KKDR201206’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘KKDR201206’ as a new and distinct Dracaenacultivar:

-   -   1. Distinctive foliage variegation pattern unlike other known        Draceana reflexa cultivars.    -   2. Strong stem.    -   3. Broad, outwardly facing foliage.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘KKDR201206’ are similar to the unpatented‘Song of India’ parent, in most horticultural characteristics. The newvariety, however, produces foliage with a different variegation patternthan the parent. Additionally, foliage of the new variety has adifferent shape and orientation than the parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The parent variety is the most similar commercial comparison.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘KKDR201206’ grown in a commercial greenhouse inHonselersdijk, The Netherlands. This plant is approximately 6 monthsold, shown planted in a 12 cm. container. The photograph was taken usingconventional techniques and although colors may appear different fromactual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible byconventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2001, except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘KKDR201206’ plants grown according to thefollowing protocols.

Plants were grown in Honselersdijk, the Netherlands under greenhouseconditions, with temperatures ranging approximately from 25° C. to 36°C. during the day and 17° C. to 25° C. at night with natural sunlight.Measurements and numerical values below represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dracaena reflexa ‘KKDR201206’.

PROPAGATION

-   Propagation details:-   Time to initiate rooting: About 6 weeks at approximately 25° C. to    28° C.-   Root description: Moderately thick, moderately fibrous, not fleshy,    young roots cream-white, older roots Greyed-Orange 163D.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: 8 months.-   Pot size of plant described: 17 cm circular pot.-   Growth habit: Upright.-   Height: Approximately 45.8 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 39.0 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate, approximately 10 cm per month.-   Branching characteristics: Not free branching, typically growing    with one main stem from the base. Will only develop lateral branches    after pinching/pruning.-   Diameter of stem: Approximately 0.7 cm.-   Internode length: Average 0.5 cm.-   Texture of stem: Smooth, dull.-   Color of stem: Green to yellow-green; near RHS 143A and 150B, both    colors present, older stems Grey-brown; near RHS 199D.-   Stem strength: Very strong.-   Number of leaves per stem: Average 56.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate (spirally). Average Length:            Approximately 13.9 cm. Average Width: Approximately 2.5 cm.            Shape of blade: Lorate. Aspect: Leaves in an average angle            of 65° to stem (=0). Apex: Acute. Base: Broad cuneate.            Attachment: Sheathing. Margin: Entire. Texture of top            surface: Smooth, moderately glossy. Texture of bottom            surface: Smooth, moderately glossy.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Green; near RHS 143A,            tinged Green to Greyed-green; RHS 138B and 191A, both colors            present, margin (average: 2.5 mm) Green; near RHS-143A,            Yellow-green towards the base; near 144B and 144C, both            colors present, whole leaf very narrowly margined (average            0.5 mm) green-white; 157B and 157D., both colors present.            Young foliage under side: Green; near RHS 138B, margin            (average: 2.5 mm) green; near RHS-143B, Yellow-green towards            the base; near 145B, whole leaf very narrowly margined            (average 0.5 mm) Green-white; 157B and 157D, both colors            present. Mature foliage upper side: Greyed-green; near RHS            N189A and N189B, both colors present, margin (average: 4 mm)            Green; near RHS139A, the dark green margin and center are            separated by a narrow (average 1 mm) line, colored            Greyed-green; near RHS 192A and 192B, both colors present,            whole leaf very narrowly margined (average 0.5 mm)            Green-white; 157B and 157D, both colors present. Mature            foliage under side: Greyed-green; near RHS 189A and 189B,            both colors present, margin (average: 4 mm) Green; near RHS            N137A and N137B, both colors present, the dark green margin            and centre are separated by a narrow (average 1 mm) line,            colored Greyed-green; near RHS 192B and 192D, both colors            present, whole leaf very narrowly margined (average 0.5 mm)            Green-white; 157B and 157D, both colors present.        -   Venation.—Type: Parallel. Color: Upperside: As leaf blade.            Underside: As leaf blade.        -   Sheath.—Average Length: Approximately 0.4 cm. Average Width:            Approximately 0.8 cm. Color: Yellow-green; near RHS 147D.            Texture: Smooth, slightly glossy. Other Distinguishing            Characteristics: No.

FLOWERING CHARACTERISTICS

-   Flowering not observed to date.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Good resistance to the normal diseases found in    Dracaena.-   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Normal for species, USDA zone    10 and higher.-   Fruit/seed production: No fruits/seeds detected to date.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plantnamed ‘KKDR201206’ as herein illustrated and described.